Incinerating container for broiling

ABSTRACT

An incinerating container for grills and similar broilers. The incinerating container receives products of combustion from a gas burner or hot gases from an electric element or other heat source. Apertures in a top of the incinerating container receive oil into the incinerating container, such as oils from melted fat as food cooks. The oils are incinerated within the incinerating container. The apertures formed in the top allow hot oils to enter the incinerating container for combustion of the oils within the incinerating container, and are constructed to prevent flames from materially exiting the incinerating container.

This Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/653,666 filed Oct. 16, 2019, U.S. Pat. No. 10,823,429 issued Nov. 3,2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/746,073 filed Oct. 16, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Broiling, such as grilling, is a popular and efficient way to cook food.Broiling is usually performed by placing food over or under heat that isgenerated by combustion of fuel or an electric heating element. The fuelmay be wood, charcoal or gas, such as natural gas or propane.

When meats are cooked, particularly those having substantial fatcontent, the liquified fat resulting from cooking drips onto the heatsource, resulting in excessive flame (commonly referred to as flare up).Flare ups are undesired flames resulting from burning of oils by theheat source. The result of flare ups is undesired charring of meat anduneven cooking of the meat. Usually flare ups are controlled by applyingwater or water spray to extinguish the flare ups. In other instances,the flare up is controlled by limiting the supply of air to supportcombustion.

Flare ups can be a particular problem with commercial grills wheresubstantial heat is generated due to continuous cooking for severalhours, and due to a high quantity of meat (and resulting melted fat)that is cooked on commercial grills. A high heat level is desired todecrease cooking time in many commercial settings. Increased flare upsfrom higher temperatures may be detrimental to food quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention incorporates an incinerating container or chamberin combination with an energy emitting top surface that may be used withgrills. The invention retards excessive charring of food, and primarilymeat, due to excessive flame contacting food as it cooks.

The incinerating container receives products of combustion from a gasburner or hot gases from an electric element or other heat source.Apertures in a top of the incinerating container receive oil into theincinerating container, such as oils from melted fat as food cooks. Theoils are incinerated within the incinerating container. The aperturesformed in the top allow hot oils to enter the incinerating container forcombustion of the oils within the incinerating container, and areconstructed to prevent flames from materially exiting the incineratingcontainer. The top of the incinerating container emits infraredradiation for cooking, and is cooler than an interior of theincinerating container.

BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a single incinerating container construct.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of an end of an incinerating container construct.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken essentially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view showing incinerating containerconstructs and elements of a cooking apparatus useful with theincinerating container constructs.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of assembled incinerating containerconstructs.

FIG. 7 is a sectioned view taken essentially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a sectioned view taken essentially along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the embodiment incinerating containerconstruct shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is an elevation of an end of an incinerating container constructaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the embodiment incinerating containerconstruct shown in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is an elevation of an end of an incinerating container constructaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 is an elevation of an embodiment with a side of the combustionchamber 10 removed to reveal elements of the invention used duringbroiling of meat.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention incorporates an incinerating container 6,106 thatis useful in grilling and/or broiling when food expels combustiblefluids that create undesired excessive flames when ignited by heat fromthe energy source. The incinerating container may be characterized as aflame-resistant container that is positioned above a heat source 12 andbelow food 38 being grilled and/or broiled. The incinerating containeris constructed and arranged to receive oil 40 from above theincinerating container and into the interior of the incineratingcontainer through a plurality of apertures 4,104,204 formed in a topenclosure 2,102, 202 of the container that emits infrared energy. Theincinerating container is constructed and arranged to retain the oilwithin the interior of the container where the oil is burned. Theincinerating container receives and holds oil from melted fat ratherthan draining the oil away from the heat, and prevents flames from theoil burned within the incinerating container from reaching food that isbeing cooked.

The device comprises a plurality of apertures 4,104,204 formed in theinfrared emitting surface that forms the top enclosure 2,102, 202 of theincinerating container construct 6,106. The incinerating container maybe positioned under a food support 36 for meat or other food beingcooked so that oil 40 dripping from the food 38 enters the incineratingcontainer through the apertures of the top enclosure. The area anddimensions of the individual apertures are sufficiently large to allowliquified fat and other flammable oils to enter the interior of theincinerating container, but the dimensions of the individual aperturesare sufficiently small to quench or arrest flame (flare ups) that resultwhen the liquified fat or other oil comes in contact with heat withinthe incinerating container. The incinerating container prevents theflame from materially exiting the interior of the incinerating containerand prevents flare ups that are detrimental to cooking food. In theembodiments shown in the drawings, the apertures are formed as elongatedslots or round apertures, but the apertures may be formed in othergeometric shapes, such as elliptical, as long as the requirement ofpermitting oils from cooking to enter the apertures while also providingflame quenching or arresting.

The present invention according to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4comprises a top enclosure that is an infrared emitting surface 2 incombination with an incinerating container 6 that collectively form anincinerating container construct. The infrared emitting surface isformed as a top enclosure of the incinerating container. Apertures 4formed in the infrared emitting surface allow hot oils 40 to enter theincinerating container 6. Heated air or combustion air for incinerationof oils/fats within the incinerating container 6 is supplied throughapertures 8 formed therein and through which pass products of combustion(containing excess air) from a gas burner 12 (FIG. 5 ) or other heatsource or from hot gases from an electric element. The products ofcombustion are then exhausted through apertures 4 of the emittingsurface. In another embodiment, combustion products (heated combustionair) are exhausted after exiting the apertures around the perimeter orpartial perimeter of a plurality of infrared emitting surfaces 2 andbelow a food support 36, so that cooking is achieved by infraredradiation and not by convection that may have a drying effect on thefood 38.

It is preferred that the total area of receiving apertures 8, 108 formedin the incinerating containers exceeds the total area of the apertures4, 104, 204 in the infrared emitting surface so that adequate air isavailable for combustion of the oil 40 received in the incineratingcontainer. However, heated air may also enter the incineratingcontainers in other ways, such as by the ends of the incineratingcontainer 6 being open, so that the area of openings for receivingheated air through receiving apertures 8 and/or other openings in theincinerating container exceed the area of the receiving apertures 4. Theplurality of incinerating container constructs as shown in FIG. 5 aresupported by a combustion chamber 10 having sides or walls.

The emitting surface 2 may be a top enclosure attached to anincinerating container 6 to enclose a top surface of the incineratingcontainer. Alternatively, the incinerating container may be supported bya side wall of the combustion chamber 10 or by other means with theemitting surface 2 positioned over the incinerating container withoutbeing attached to the incinerating container thereby allowing theemitting surfaces to be easily removed to facilitate cleaning of boththe emitting surface 2 and the interior of the incinerating container 6.Also, an incinerating container may be easily cleaned by rinsing underrunning water such as by using a water faucet.

The most common material for the fabrication of the incineratingcontainer 6 and the emitting surface 2 is stainless steel or anotherpreferably non-corrosive metal. For example, incinerating containers maybe formed of stainless steel, such as 304 or 316L stainless steel. Sincethe infrared emissivity of stainless steel (the ability to radiateinfrared energy) is relatively low compared to ceramic surfaces,emissivity of the emitting surface may be improved by various treatmentsof the top of the emitting surface. Such treatments are also useful toimprove corrosion resistance, durability and the output of infraredenergy by the emitting surface.

It is desirable that the top surface, such as the top enclosure, have arelatively high emissivity that provides a top surface that is coolerthan the interior of the cooler. The top surface may be modified orcoated to increase emissivity. Surface treatments may include oxidationof the emitting top surface 2 and/or abrasion of the emitting topsurface. The top emitting surface may be coated or laminated withceramic materials and used without or in combination with abrasion andoxidation of the emitting surface. One ceramic coating has demonstratedexcellent results in minimizing corrosion while providing infraredemissivity of about 0.9.

In addition to the methods described above to modify the emittingsurface 2, other metals or ceramics may be laminated to the top of theemitting surface. In one example, a thin sheet of titanium is bonded tothe emitting surface 2. In another example, a thin (for example, 20-22ga.) perforated sheet of nickel-chrome alloys is affixed to the top ofthe emitting surface. When another sheet of material is bonded to theemitting surface 2 apertures formed in the sheet of material and in theemitting surface must be aligned to facilitate entry of oils into theincinerating container and the escape of products of combustionaccording to the invention.

When metal of a different alloy is laminated to the top of the emittingsurface, a bond between the two metals may be accomplished by spotwelding and/or by using a ceramic material as a bonding agent. Extensivetesting by the inventor of a laminate between the base metal of theemitting surface of the top enclosure 2 and a perforated nickel chromealloy (rated at a higher temperature and corrosion resistance) producesa surface that is highly resistant to corrosion while withstandingtemperatures in excess of 1,000° F. Also, when the top enclosure iscoated with ceramic 34, the ceramic does not block the apertures 4,104,204 and produces a surface of ceramic that is securely bonded to thebase metal of the emitting surface. This construction protects the basemetal from fatty acids to which it is exposed as a result of thebroiling process. Further, the emissivity of the surface formed of, orcoated with, ceramic may be about 0.9 or possibly greater.

In some cases, exhaust gases from combustion exit the apertures 4 incombination with another opening or openings, such as a perimeter of theinfrared emitting surface and/or walls forming the incineratingcontainer, which may be ends of the incinerating container constructs.This method of construction provides a bypass for the exhaust gases inthe event the apertures 4 become clogged due to poor maintenance.

In an embodiment, a lower surface of the incinerating container has ariser 18. The plurality of receiving apertures 8 formed on sides of theriser allow the heated air such as combustion air to enter theincinerating container 6. The incinerating containers in this embodimentare positioned side by side and may be in contact with each other. Theriser allows heated air to enter the receiving apertures 8 formed in theriser when the incinerating containers are side by side since there isinsufficient spacing between the incinerating containers to permitmaterial heated air to flow between the incinerating containers. Whenthe incinerating containers are positioned side by side as shown in FIG.6 , the incinerating containers are preferred to abut each other and/orthe combustion chamber to prevent material amounts of oil from enteringthe spaces between the incinerating containers.

The risers 18 may be formed in a lower surface of the incineratingcontainers 6. The risers may be formed with a first side member 20having the plurality of receiving apertures 8 formed therein and asecond side member 22 having the plurality of receiving apertures formedtherein. The incinerating container may comprise a first exterior sidemember 24 that is opposite the first side member and a second exteriorside member 26 that is opposite the second side member. A firstreceptacle 28 is formed between the first side member and the firstexterior side member. A second receptacle 30 is formed between thesecond side member and the second side member. The first receptacle andthe second receptacle are so constructed and arranged to retain oil 40from cooking within the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle.Heated air, such as combustion air, enters the plurality of receivingapertures 8 formed in the side members for incineration of the oilwithin the interior of the incinerating container.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the top enclosure 2 provides an infrared emittingsurface but is formed as a unit with side member 26 and side member 28.A bottom of the incinerating container incorporates the riser 18. Theincinerating container may be otherwise fabricated, but is preferred tobe an enclosure for receiving, trapping and retaining oil forincineration of the oil having only the apertures 4 for receiving oiland apertures 8 for the receiving combustion air. The enclosed structurealso provides efficient infrared heating for incinerating the oil andfor cooking.

FIGS. 9-11 disclose another embodiment of the invention. This embodimentprovides performance that is substantially identical to the embodimentof FIGS. 1-3 . This embodiment may be used with a combustion chamber 10and burner 12 as shown in FIG. 5 , with the incinerating container 6constructs positioned in the combustion chamber. FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 . Thesupports 32 are an example of how the incinerating containers may beremovably positioned in a combustion chamber. Constructs that allow theincinerating containers to be easily removed for cleaning are preferred.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11 , the apertures 104 are transverseslots formed relative to the length of the infrared emitting surfacewhich may be top enclosure 102, whereas in FIGS. 1-3 apertures 4 arelongitudinal slots formed relative to the length of the top enclosure.It is preferred in many applications that the lengthwise dimension ofthe apertures formed in the top enclosure are generally perpendicular tothe length of the burner 12. FIG. 5 . The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11is preferred to be used with the incinerating container constructpositioned at 90 degrees to the positioning shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore,the apertures are transverse rather than longitudinal. The length of theburner may be perpendicular to the length of the incinerating containers6,106 (FIG. 8 ) or parallel to the length of the incinerating containers(FIG. 15 ).

In an embodiment, receiving apertures 108 are positioned in the exteriorsides of the incinerating container 106. A spacer 114 is formed thatextends from one or both sides of the incinerating container, such asextending from the top enclosure or infrared emitting surface 104 toprovide spacing between adjoining incinerating container constructs orbetween the incinerating container construct and components of thegrill, such as a combustion chamber into which the incineratingcontainer constructs are positioned. The spacer provides spacing so thatheated air such as combustion air enters the receiving apertures butdoes not materially exit the assembly between the adjoining incineratingcontainer constructs. The spacer is also constructed and arranged toabut adjacent incinerating containers so that material amounts of oil donot penetrate between the adjoining incinerating container constructs.

As described with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 , the receiving apertures108 and/or other openings in the incinerating container provide heatedair to the interior of the incinerating container constructs. Heated airis provided in sufficient quantity and at sufficient temperature tofacilitate combustion of oil that enters the incinerating containersthrough apertures 104. Again, it is preferred that the total area ofreceiving apertures 108 exceed the total area of apertures 104.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14 , the apertures 204 formed in theinfrared emitting surface 202 are substantially round in shape. Theincinerating container construct is otherwise as shown in the embodimentof FIGS. 9-11 . However, the round apertures of FIGS. 12-14 may be usedwith the incinerating container construct shown in in FIGS. 1-3 , justas the transverse slots of FIGS. 9-12 may be used with the incineratingcontainer construct shown in in FIGS. 1-3 .

In use, flames 16 from the heat source such as the burner 12 generatecombustion air for the incinerating container 6,106. Liquified fats orother oils 40 enter the incinerating container through the apertures4,104,204 formed in the infrared emitting surface which may be topenclosure 2,102,202. FIG. 15 . The oils are exposed to the heated airentering incinerating container through receiving apertures 8,108. Theliquified fats or other oils burn within the container producingadditional heat for cooking. Flames 42 generated by burning oils withinthe incinerating container are quenched or arrested by the apertures orotherwise retained within the incinerating container so that the flamesdo not reach meat 38 or other foods being cooked, thereby avoidingundesired charring of the meat.

In a preferred embodiment, the incinerating container construct 6,106 iselongated. In one embodiment the length is preferred to exceed the widthby a ratio of length to width of at least 3 to 1 so that theincinerating container is elongated. A plurality of incineratingcontainers are positioned side by side over the heat source, such as thegas burner 12. FIG. 5 . The incinerating containers abut each other sothat there is insufficient spacing between the plurality of elongatedincinerating containers to allow a material amount of combustion air toflow between the incinerating containers, and insufficient spacing toallow material amounts of oil from melted fat from entering between theincinerating containers that are positioned side by side.

The transfer flow of hot gasses entering and exiting the incineratingcontainer construct increases the temperature of the incineratingcontainer walls allowing increased radiant energy to be transferred fromthe walls of the incinerating container construct to the inner surfaceof the emitter. The preference for the total area of the receivingapertures 8, 108, 208 to exceed the total area of the apertures4,104,204 and the use of a construct where no material amounts of heatedor combustion air escapes except through the apertures 4,104,204 isbelieved to improve thermal efficiency over the use of grills that donot employ the incinerating containers according to the invention.

Infrared radiation is reflected by and within the interior walls of theincinerating container, thereby radiating to each other, which isbelieved to improve the energy efficiency of the container. Turningcombustion air about 90° as it rises from the burner 12 and entersreceiving apertures 8, 108, 208 is believed to improve heat transfer tothe incinerating container due to turbulence created by the turning thecombustion air.

By way of example and not limitation, the burner 12 produces combustionair at about 2000° F. The sides 24,26 and bottom of the incineratingcontainer are exposed to the hot combustion air. The combustion air isretained by the combustion chamber 10 and directed into the incineratingcontainer 6,106 through receiving apertures 8,108. An oxidized stainlesssteel incinerating container with an emissivity of about 0.52 willachieve an internal temperature of about 1250° F. with combustion airprovided at about 2000° F. At this temperature, oil 40 from animal fatwill combust and flame 42.

Continuing with the example, a ceramic or ceramic coated top enclosure2,102, 202 may have an infrared emissivity of about 0.92. Further, thetop enclosure is not directly exposed to the hot (2000° F.) combustionair. Rather than receiving energy, the top surface is giving up energy.The increased emissivity plus the energy loss means that the top surfaceis cooler than the interior of the incinerating container. In thisexample, the temperature of the top enclosure will be about 750° F. Thehigher emissivity of the top enclosure as compared to the incineratingcontainer and the energy loss means that the top enclosure will have alower temperature than the interior of the incinerating container. Theresult is that the top enclosure yields enough energy to cook food 38,but does not encourage combustion or flare ups from oil falling on thetop surface of the incinerating containers. The oil 40 from the fatflows through the apertures 4, 104, 204 and into the incineratingcontainer where it burns away. The flame produced by the burning oil isretained within the incinerating container and is not exposed to thefood. The top enclosure is constructed to have a higher radiationemissivity than the container of the incinerating container, so that thetemperature of the top enclosure is lower than the container for thesame amount of energy exposure. The emissivity of the top enclosure ispreferred to be such that the temperature of the top enclosure ismaterially lower than the internal temperature of the incineratingcontainer for the same energy input, with “materially lower” meaning notless than 20% lower temperature.

The incinerating container 6,106 is particularly useful in commercialapplications. Unexpectedly, the incinerating container construct of theinvention has been demonstrated in commercial settings to substantiallyreduce gas/fuel consumption while increasing the heat transfer from thehot gasses to the surfaces of the incinerating container construct.Using an incinerating container having a ceramic coated top enclosure2,102, 202 in one embodiment was demonstrated to emit greater than 50%more energy (measured in BTUs) for the same energy input as compared toa standard commercial grill. The energy savings, when operating 12 hoursa day, as is common in restaurants, is significant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooking device, comprising: an incineratingcontainer, the incinerating container comprising a generally horizontaltop enclosure having a plurality of apertures formed therein thatcommunicate with an interior of the incinerating container, theincinerating container comprising a generally vertical side member, theside member having a generally vertical receiving aperture formedtherein that communicates with the interior of the incineratingcontainer, the incinerating container constructed and arranged toreceive oil from above the incinerating container and into the interiorof the incinerating container through the plurality of apertures formedin the top enclosure, the incinerating container further constructed andarranged to retain the oil within the interior of the incineratingcontainer, and wherein the plurality of apertures formed in the topenclosure are so constructed and arranged as sufficiently small tosubstantially prevent flame from incineration of the oil from exitingthe plurality of apertures formed in the top.
 2. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 1, the incinerating container comprising a riserformed in a lower surface of the incinerating container, the risercomprising the generally vertical side member having the plurality ofgenerally vertical receiving apertures formed therein.
 3. A cookingdevice as described in claim 1, wherein the incinerating container ispositioned within a combustion chamber.
 4. A cooking device as describedin claim 1, wherein a plurality of incinerating containers arepositioned within a combustion chamber.
 5. A cooking device as describedin claim 1, wherein a plurality of elongated incinerating containers arepositioned within a combustion chamber.
 6. A cooking device as describedin claim 1, wherein a plurality of elongated incinerating containers,each abutting another incinerating container of the plurality ofelongated incinerating containers, are positioned within a combustionchamber.
 7. A cooking device as described in claim 1, wherein aplurality of elongated incinerating containers are positioned within acombustion chamber, and wherein an incinerating container of theplurality of the incinerating containers comprises a spacer extendingfrom a side of the incinerating container of the plurality ofincinerating containers and wherein the spacer abuts anotherincinerating container of the plurality of incinerating containers.
 8. Acooking device as described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of elongatedincinerating containers are positioned within a combustion chamber, andwherein an incinerating container of the plurality of the incineratingcontainers comprises a spacer extending from a side of the incineratingcontainer of the plurality of incinerating containers and wherein thespacer abuts another incinerating container of the plurality ofincinerating containers, and wherein the side of the incineratingcontainer from which the spacer extends comprises a generally verticalreceiving aperture formed in the side of the incinerating container. 9.A cooking device as described in claim 1, the incinerating containercomprising a riser formed in a lower surface of the incineratingcontainer, wherein a first receptacle is formed on a first side of theriser and below a top of the riser and a second receptacle formed on asecond side of the riser and below a top of the riser, wherein the firstreceptacle and the second receptacle are so constructed and arranged toretain the oil within the first receptacle and the second receptacle,wherein heated air enters the generally vertical receiving apertureformed in the side member for incineration of the oil within theinterior of the incinerating container.
 10. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 1, the incinerating container comprising a riserformed in a lower surface of the incinerating container, the risercomprising the generally vertical side member having the generallyvertical receiving aperture formed therein, the incinerating containercomprising a first exterior side member that is opposite the generallyvertical side member wherein a first receptacle is formed between thegenerally vertical side member and the first exterior side member andwherein a second receptacle is formed between a second side member and asecond exterior side member, and wherein the first receptacle and thesecond receptacle are so constructed and arranged to retain the oilwithin the first receptacle and the second receptacle, wherein heatedair enters the receiving aperture formed in the generally vertical sidemember for incineration of the oil within the interior of theincinerating container.
 11. A cooking device as described in claim 1,wherein the top enclosure comprises a ceramic.
 12. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the total area of receiving aperturesformed in the incinerating container exceeds the total area of theplurality of apertures formed in the top enclosure.
 13. A cooking deviceas described in claim 1, wherein the top enclosure has an infraredradiation emissivity that materially exceeds infrared radiationemissivity of interior surfaces of the incinerating container.
 14. Acooking device as described in claim 1, wherein the operatingtemperature of the top enclosure is materially lower than the operatingtemperature of the incinerating container.
 15. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the incinerating container is suspendedover a heat source, and heated air from the heat source enters thegenerally vertical receiving aperture formed in the generally verticalside member for incineration of the oil within the interior of theincinerating container.
 16. A cooking device, the cooking devicecomprising: a heat source; a plurality of incinerating containerspositioned in a side by side relationship; a combustion chamberconstructed and arranged to direct heated air from the heat source intothe plurality of incinerating containers; the plurality of incineratingcontainers each comprising a generally horizontal top enclosure having aplurality of apertures formed therein that communicate with an interiorof the incinerating container, the plurality of incinerating containerseach comprising a generally vertical receiving aperture formed therein,the generally vertical receiving aperture constructed and arranged toreceive heated air from the heat source and direct heated air into theinterior of the incinerating container, the incinerating containers eachconstructed and arranged to receive oil through the apertures formed inthe top enclosure and constructed and arranged to retain oil within theinterior of the incinerating container.
 17. An incinerating containerfor a cooking device as described in claim 16, wherein the plurality ofincinerating containers are so constructed and arranged within thecombustion chamber to retard material heated air from escaping betweenincinerating containers.
 18. A cooking device as described in claim 16,each incinerating container of the plurality of incinerating containerscomprising a riser formed in a lower surface of the incineratingcontainer, the riser comprising a generally vertical side member havingthe generally vertical receiving aperture formed therein.
 19. A cookingdevice as described in claim 16, each incinerating container of theplurality of incinerating containers comprising a riser formed in alower surface of the incinerating container, wherein a first receptacleis formed in a side of the riser and below a top of the riser and asecond receptacle is formed on a second side of the riser and below atop of the riser, wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacleare so constructed and arranged to retain the oil within the firstreceptacle and the second receptacle, wherein heated air enters theplurality of receiving apertures formed in the side members forincineration of the oil within the interior of the incineratingcontainer.
 20. A cooking device as described in claim 16, eachincinerating container of the plurality of incinerating containerscomprising a riser formed in a lower surface of the incineratingcontainer, the riser comprising the generally vertical side memberhaving the generally vertical receiving aperture formed therein and theriser comprising a second generally vertical side member formed therein,the incinerating container comprising a first exterior side member thatis opposite the generally vertical side member and a second exteriorside member that is opposite the second side member, wherein a firstreceptacle is formed between the first side member and the firstexterior side member and wherein a second receptacle is formed betweenthe second side member and the second side member, and wherein the firstreceptacle and the second receptacle are so constructed and arranged toretain the oil within the first receptacle and the second receptacle,wherein heated air enters the plurality of receiving apertures formed inthe side members for incineration of the oil within the interior of theincinerating container.
 21. A cooking device as described in claim 16,wherein the top enclosure of each incinerating container of theplurality of incinerating containers comprises a ceramic.
 22. A cookingdevice as described in claim 16, wherein the total area of receivingapertures formed in each incinerating container of the plurality ofincinerating containers exceeds the total area of the plurality ofapertures formed in the top enclosure.
 23. A cooking device as describedin claim 16, wherein the top enclosure of each incinerating container ofthe plurality of incinerating containers has an infrared radiationemissivity that materially exceeds infrared radiation emissivity ofinterior surfaces of the incinerating container.
 24. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 16, wherein the operating temperature of the topenclosure of each incinerating container of the plurality ofincinerating containers is materially lower than the operatingtemperature of the incinerating container.
 25. A cooking device asdescribed in claim 16, wherein the plurality of incinerating containersare suspended over a heat source, and heated air from the heat sourceenters the receiving aperture for incineration of the oil within theinterior of the incinerating containers.